Impairment of Quality of Life in Symptomatic Reproductive Tract Infection and Sexually Transmitted Infection

Background: Reproductive tract infections (RTI) and sexually transmitted infections (STI) are often subclinical and remain undetected. The current study aimed to estimate the burden of RTI/STI, associated symptoms, risk factors and the impact of the condition on quality of life (QOL). Methods: A community based, cross sectional study was conducted. Married women aged 18 to 49 years were selected through systematic random sampling in a rural area. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to evaluate socio-demographic characteristics, symptoms, risk factors and knowledge regarding RTI/STI. A standardized instrument from the World Health Organization (WHO-BREF) was used to measure QOL. The chi square (χ2) and unpaired t tests were used for statistic evaluation of results. Results: In a sample of 464 women, 60 (13%) women were symptomatic and the commonest symptom was abnormal vaginal discharge (n=54). 24 of the women had sought treatment. Age (p=0.0006) and socio-economic status (p=0.0004) were significant for an outcome of RTI/STI. Significant risk factors included lack of use of barrier contraceptives (p<0.001), past history of infection (p<0.001), use of reusable cloth during menstruation (p<0.001) and presence of spousal symptoms (p<0.001). QOL scores were impacted on all domains with significant differences. The largest mean difference was in the social relations and sexual activity domain. Conclusion: In the current study, the obtained data was a 13% prevalence of RTI/ STI symptoms with a significant lack of awareness regarding occurrence and prevention among women and significant impairment on all QOL domains.